Top Junior Thomas Prentice and in-form Gemma Frost were fastest male and female respectively at the Alnwick CC 13-mile time trial in Northumberland on Saturday.

GS Metro rider Prentice – who was celebrating his 17th birthday on Saturday – stormed around the M13 course near Embleton to take the win in a time of 27-04, 18 seconds faster than second-placed Thomas Hutchinson (Tyneside Vagabonds, while Lewis Timmins (Team Swift) was third, another 21 seconds off the pace.

Team Swift celebrated victory in the women’s category with Gemma Frost covering the course in 30-23, giving her 19th spot overall and being fastest female by almost two minutes from Natalie Batey (Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service) with 32.16, while Michelle Highfield (Berwick Wheelers) was third with 33-58, just one second faster than fourth fastest woman Sara Cummings (Blaydon CC).

The event sees riders take in an anti-clockwise loop from Embleton, heading north first before turning onto the B1340 and coming south through Rennington and then turning back over the east coast mainline just before Longhoughton, where they head back north to Embleton on the B1339.

Sunny and warm conditions made for some fast times, but least for talented youngster Prentice who can add another senior victory to his list of 2018 achievements despite having another year as a junior ahead of him.

In other categories, Peter Davison was the fastest rider from the promoting Alnwick Cycling Club, while Phil Hall (Breeze Bikes) was fastest veteran with 27-44 and fourth spot overall, 30 seconds quicker than second veteran Ian Norris (Blumilk.com).

It is the latest in a string of good results for Prentice, who was victorious in the North Tyneside Riders CC 27 in April and was second in the 2017 National Hill-Climb Championships.

Frost’s win was her fourth open victory in a row as she continues to enjoy a great 2018 season.

As well as winning the Alnwick CC event this weekend, the 35-year-old from Newcastle was also fastest female at the Derwentside CC 9.9 last month as well as winning the Houghton CC 10 and North Tyneside Riders CC 27 in April.

Most riders enjoyed a good performance on a good day, but it was marred somewhat by a bad crash from James Hadfield of Blaydon CC. He ended up in hospital but is expected to make a recovery.

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